Consequences

Explaining consequences to children is "fun" (sarcasm), but explaining consequences to adults is tragic. There is a cause and effect to everything we do (good, bad, and indifferent). When we only think about ourselves, or the moment, or that it doesn't matter this time, then we certainly aren't thinking about the consequences to ourselves or to others. What you do matters. This is true for every action whether we see the effect to our cause presently or way in the future, it still remains. A child is fraught with easy examples of this. One such one would be them not listening when you tell them you all need to leave the house in 10 minutes, and then they are not ready (have to go to the bathroom, get dressed, put their shoes on, etc.), and then it takes 30 minutes to leave making you late for an appointment (or whatever). Very simple cause and effect, but there are much more serious ones that play out in relationships. So, here is the simple fix to cause and effect hazards:

• Do what you say you are going to do!
• Mean what you say...words mean something (see Websters for help)!
• Honor the other person whether in agreement or disagreement, there should be honor!
• Validate yourself, that's no one's job but yours alone!
• Laziness has no place in a relationship, as it's the cornerstone of complacency! 
• Listen as well as talk when communicating....'cause that's how conversations work!
• Talk with someone, not AT someone!
• Respect yourself because if you don't first, no one will, and that means you have to be respectable!
• Own your mistakes...we're all only human, apologize specifically and correct honestly!
• Be a doer and not just a taker! 
• "Intent" without "Action" is just a fairy tale, so figure out what your true intentions are, and then act on them...every time, or the time will pass!